Public School Review - Established 2003

Orion Alternative vs. North Star Academy

Should you attend Orion Alternative or North Star Academy? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
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School Overview

School
Orion Alternative
555 Avenue Del Ora
Redwood City, CA 94063
: 
8/
10
Top 30%
North Star Academy
400 Duane St.
Redwood City, CA 94062
: 
10/
10
Top 1%
Top Rankings

Orion Alternative ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

Category
Attribute
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)

North Star Academy ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 1%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 1%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 1%)
Overview
Serving 461 students in grades Kindergarten-5, Orion Alternative ranks in the top 30% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 50-54% (which is higher than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 50-54% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 79% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Serving 527 students in grades 3-8, North Star Academy ranks in the top 1% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 1%, and reading proficiency is top 1%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 95% (which is higher than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 95% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 25:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Asian), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
School Type
Alternative
n/a
Blue Ribbon Schools
-
Yes
Grades Offered
K-5
3-8
Total Students
461 students
527 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Orion Alternative over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at North Star Academy over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
% Male | % Female
51% | 49%
49% | 51%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Orion Alternative.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at North Star Academy.
Total Classroom Teachers
21 teachers
21 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Orion Alternative over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at North Star Academy over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
25:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Orion Alternative with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Redwood City Elementary School District and the state of California, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at North Star Academy with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Redwood City Elementary School District and the state of California, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.

Test Scores

#2231 out of 9523 schools in CA
(Top 30%)
#7 out of 9523 schools in CA
(Top 1%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Orion Alternative, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of North Star Academy, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
50-54%
(Top 20% in CA)
95%
(Top 1% in CA)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Orion Alternative who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Redwood City Elementary School District and California public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at North Star Academy who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Redwood City Elementary School District and California public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
50-54%
(Top 50% in CA)(21-22 School Year Data)
95%
(Top 1% in CA)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Orion Alternative who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Redwood City Elementary School District and California public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at North Star Academy who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Redwood City Elementary School District and California public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
40-49%
(Top 30% in CA)(21-22 School Year Data)
85-89%
(Top 1% in CA)(21-22 School Year Data)

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Orion Alternative by grade.
This chart displays the students of North Star Academy by grade.
Kindergarten Students
143
-
Grade 1 Students
91
-
Grade 2 Students
71
-
Grade 3 Students
37
89
Grade 4 Students
67
90
Grade 5 Students
52
90
Grade 6 Students
-
89
Grade 7 Students
-
84
Grade 8 Students
-
85

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
n/a
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Orion Alternative, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Redwood City Elementary School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2006-07 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at North Star Academy, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Redwood City Elementary School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2002-03 school year.
% Asian
20%
21%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Orion Alternative, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Redwood City Elementary School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at North Star Academy, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Redwood City Elementary School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Hispanic
33%
14%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Orion Alternative, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Redwood City Elementary School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at North Star Academy, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Redwood City Elementary School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Black
1%
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Orion Alternative, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Redwood City Elementary School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at North Star Academy, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Redwood City Elementary School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2018-19 school year.
% White
21%
49%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Orion Alternative, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Redwood City Elementary School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at North Star Academy, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Redwood City Elementary School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander at Orion Alternative, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander in the Redwood City Elementary School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2013-14 school year.
n/a
% Two or more races
24%
16%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Orion Alternative, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Redwood City Elementary School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at North Star Academy, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Redwood City Elementary School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
0.76
0.68
This chart showcases the diversity score of Orion Alternative, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Redwood City Elementary School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of North Star Academy, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Redwood City Elementary School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
25%
7%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Orion Alternative, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Redwood City Elementary School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at North Star Academy, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Redwood City Elementary School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
1%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Orion Alternative, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Redwood City Elementary School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at North Star Academy, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Redwood City Elementary School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
 
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